After scrunching your hair to enhance your natural waves or curls, the next steps are crucial for setting your style and achieving the desired look. The primary options are air drying or using a diffuser.
Air Drying After Scrunching
Air drying is the gentlest method, minimizing heat damage. Here's what to do:
- Leave-in Conditioner/Serum: Apply a leave-in conditioner or hair serum for added moisture and frizz control.
- Avoid Touching: Resist the urge to touch your hair while it's drying to prevent frizz.
- Patience: Air drying takes time. Be patient and allow your hair to dry completely.
- "SOTC" (Scrunch Out the Crunch): Once your hair is completely dry, gently scrunch out any stiffness (the "cast") created by your styling products. This reveals soft, defined waves or curls. Use your hands or a microfiber towel.
Diffusing After Scrunching
If you want faster results or more volume, diffusing is a great option.
- Heat Protectant: Always apply a heat protectant spray before diffusing.
- Low Heat, Low Speed: Use a diffuser attachment on your blow-dryer, set to low heat and low speed.
- Hover Diffusing: Start by hovering the diffuser around your hair without touching it, allowing the heat to distribute evenly.
- Pixie Diffusing (or Bowl Method): Cup sections of your hair into the diffuser and gently push it towards your scalp. Hold for a few seconds, then release. Repeat around your head.
- 70% Dry: Blow-dry until your hair is about 70% dry. Avoid completely drying your hair with the diffuser, as this can lead to frizz.
- Air Dry the Rest: Allow your hair to air dry completely.
- SOTC: Scrunch out the crunch once fully dry.
General Tips for After Scrunching
- Product Choice: Use styling products designed for your hair type (e.g., mousse, gel, curl cream).
- Experiment: Find the methods and products that work best for your hair through experimentation.
- Refresh: If your curls fall flat on subsequent days, refresh them with a spray bottle of water and a small amount of product. Scrunch gently to reactivate the curls.
By following these steps, you can achieve beautifully defined and healthy-looking waves or curls after scrunching your hair.